Man sentenced to prison in prostitution case

A 21-year-old man was sentenced to four years in prison this week after being convicted of felony pimping of a woman, according to prosecutors.

Carlos Loazo Jimenez, of Oxnard, was pimping a 26-year-old prostitute who testified at a preliminary hearing that she uses the fake name "Angelica."

Prosecutor David Russell said Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce Young sentenced Jimenez to four years for pimping and eight months for possession of a small quantity of cocaine found during the execution of a search warrant.

Young sentenced Jimenez to four years because of the sophistication of the operation during the three-month investigation, Russell said.

Jimenez's lawyer Josie Banuelos said in an interview that the sentence was an injustice because Jimenez played a minimal role and the prostitute was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor.

Angelica had testified at a preliminary hearing that she charges $40 for each trick and gives Jimenez $10. After she pays Jimenez, she pockets about $600, she testified.

Angela testified that hired Jimenez to drive her around to pick up customers. Much of the time is spent with Jimenez in the parking lot of an Oxnard market, she said. They both talk to customers about prices. Some call her, and others call Jimenez's cellphone, Angelica testified.